Contraception

This birth control method can be used by women a few days after having unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.

This birth control method is also known as the “morning-after pill”, but it isn’t always a pill, and it can be used more than 24 hours after the sexual intercourse.

• In the heat of the moment no protection was available and you had sex anyway.
• The condom fell off or was ripped.
• You had problems with your cervical cap or diaphragm.
• You forgot to take your Pill.
• You applied your birth control patch later than you should have.
• You were the victim of a sexual assault.
• And the list goes on…

• Pills
• Intra-uterine Devices (IUD’s)

• Plan B
• The Yuzpe method

Plan B is the newer method, and gives better results with fewer side effects.  The second method, Yuzpe, requires that you take four pills from a well known contraceptive pill brand.

For the other emergency contraception method, you can ask a doctor to install an IUD (Intra-Uterine Device).  This contraception method is very effective at preventing pregnancy if it is installed within seven days after having unprotected sex.  However, it is better to use this device on a long term rather than on an emergency basis.  To know how an IUD works and how it can be installed, see IUD in this section of the website.

Precautions…

Obviously, this method offers absolutely no protection against sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).  If you’re worried about possible STI’s, you should contact a health clinic or your doctor to take the appropriate tests for infections.  Visit the STI Section of this website.

• Very simple.  You must go to a clinic, a CLSC or a drug store and ask for an emergency contraceptive.  Somebody there will tell you exactly how to take it.
• For Plan B, you take both pills immediately as soon as possible.
• For the Yuzpe method, you have to take 2 pills immediately after purchase, and the remaining two, 12 hours later.
• You will also be given some Gravol to avoid vomiting after taking Plan B
• If you vomit in the hour following the ingestion, you must repeat the dose
• It’s possible that you get your period in the 7 days after taking an emergency contraceptive, but sometimes it takes more time.  If you haven’t had your period within 21 days after taking an emergency contraceptive, consult a doctor or a nurse to get a pregnancy test.

The Pros:

• It can prevent an undesired pregnancy

• It can cause nausea and vomiting.
• There might also so be some abdominal pain, headaches or fatigue.

Complications 

• If you become pregnant, there is no indication that the baby will have been harmed by taking an emergency contraceptive.
• Major complications are not frequent and you can consult your doctor to learn more about them

If you want to learn more, you can go to these websites: